INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Two arrests have been made in connection with copper thefts in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Willie Lee Hunter, 44, of Vero Beach, and James Culbertson, 33, of Fort Pierce, for burglary and grand theft, according to authorities.
“This case is a great example of the benefits that come from law enforcement agencies cooperating for a common goal,” said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar in a press release. “We continue to have a positive working relationship with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. Both Sheriff Mascara and I are pleased our teams worked together to get these two off the streets and behind bars.”
Deputies from the Indian River County Agriculture/Marine Unit were contacted by detectives from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office recently, according to authorities. They provided information that indicated Hunter and Culbertson had been identified as suspects in several cases of copper wire theft in St. Lucie County.
Detectives also noted their investigation led them to believe the two were trespassing on the property formerly occupied by the Indian River Correctional Institution near the 2100 block of 74th Ave. SW. Indian River County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated that area on Nov. 18 and 20, and found several electrical boxes that had been damaged and stripped of their wiring.
Last night, Nov. 21, deputies along with detectives from St. Lucie County surveilled the area, according to the Sheriff’s Office. At approximately 10:30 p.m., a truck believed to be occupied by Hunter and Culbertson was observed driving to the area of the previous thefts near the abandoned prison property. The time of day and remoteness of the area precluded constant surveillance of the suspects. However, the vehicle the suspects were in was located by deputies who entered the area on foot. The truck was unoccupied and surveillance teams were set up in various locations around the property.
At approximately 3:30 a.m., Hunter approached the truck and was met by deputies, according to authorities. Hunter told investigators Culbertson was waiting to be picked up near the corner of 17th Street and 74th Avenue SW. Detectives drove the suspects’ vehicle to the location where Culbertson was waiting for Hunter. As Culbertson walked toward the truck, detectives exited and arrested him.
Authorities said he was in possession of approximately 300 pounds of copper wire.
Hunter and Culbertson face charges of burglary and grand theft and were booked into the Indian River County Jail. Bond will be set at their first appearance hearing Saturday morning.
